Learning & Teaching Awards Winners 2025

A special thanks to Emily Roberts (VP Education & President Elect) and Lee Doran (Department Rep & VP Magee Elect) who hosted the evening. What makes these awards stand out is they are completely student-led, organised, and managed through UUSU. Nominations come from students, with staff only eligible to submit in the Academic Rep category.
We received over 570 nominations this year showing the impact of hundreds of individual staff members, teams and reps. The judging and shortlisting panel was made up of student reps from across Faculties and the Doctoral College. Thanks to all the students and staff who made nominations and to our student shortlisting panel.

Dream Team Award - Staff Team of the Year

Interactive Media Team

Igniting Student Ambition

Darren Berkland (Communication and Media)
Emily Roberts, VP Education presenting Darren Berkland with Igniting Student Ambition Award

Educator of the Year (Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences)

Denise MacDermott (Applied Social & Policy Sciences)
L-R: Anne Gallagher, Denise MacDermott and Caoimhe Cudden

Educator of the Year (Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment)

Philip Vance (Computing, Engineering & Intelligent Systems)
Philip Vance is presented award by Favour Okpohs (VP Belfast)

Educator of the Year (Faculty of Life and Health Sciences)

Felicity Hasson (Nursing and Paramedic Science) Marian McLaughlin (Psychology)
L-R Rebecca Crothers, Maria Betts, Felicity Hasson, Marian McLaughlin

Educator of the Year (Ulster University Business School)

Helen McKenna (Business Engagement Unit)
Rosie McKenna (right) collects award on behalf of Helen McKenna from Reece Armstrong (VP Magee)

Rising Star Award: Early Career Excellence

Ryan Adams (Sport and Exercise Science)>
Ryan is presented award by Lee Dornan (VP Magee Elect)

PhD Supervisor of the Year

Helene McNulty (Biomedical Sciences)
Alison Gallagher, Head of the Doctoral College collecting the award on Helene’s Behalf with Helene’s Nominator Umair Shabbir

Hidden Hero Award: Non-Teaching Excellence

Magdalena Lederer (Commercial Services)

Champion for Change

Muhammad Usman Hadi (Engineering)
Prof Colin Turner accepts the award on Muhammad Usman Hadi’s behalf from Catherine Mailey (VP Equality & Belonging Elect)

Student Academic Rep of the Year

Sophie Stevens (Law)

Inspirational Award: Transformative Educational Approaches

Ian Thatcher (Arts and Humanities)

UUSU Special Recognition Award

Cost of Living, Cost of Learning Conference
L-R Emily Roberts (VP Education) presents Patricia Burns & Aisling Meehan with the UUSU Special Recognition Award

UUSU Special Recognition Award

Student Partnerships & Collaboration on Sustainability – Marc Duffy
Emily Roberts (VP Education) presents Marc Duffy with the UUSU Special Recognition Award

UUSU Special Recognition Award

Mandy Mulholland (UUSU Interim Head of Membership) receives a special thank you for organising the LTAs over the last 10 years!

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